“True. I was in Hungary because I was already working on a case. I’m still the best person to get the job done, so I have to do some more preliminary work tonight.”
“Why tonight? You could go today. I’m not going anywhere.” She shivered a bit and pulled the blanket around her shoulders tighter.
Blake ran his hand up and down her arm, pulling her into him, blocking the cold air with his body. The feeling of being protected and safe enveloped her. “It’s better if I go at night. I could be recognized, too.”
She looked up at him, but he wasn’t looking at her. His eyes were focused past the lake as if he were deep in thought.
Something wasn’t jiving. It wasn’t adding up to the sum it should. She could tell he was hiding something from her. “What is it? What is this job you have to do?”
That drew his attention down to her. He gave a half smile. “I can’t tell you.”
Well, that was fair. He’d explained that what he did was classified at times. She leaned against him and watched the reeds sway. “Will you get shot like Rook?”
Blake snorted. “God, I hope not.”
She flicked her gaze to him. “But it could happen?”
He nodded. “I’m not going to lie to you. I’m not in a ‘corporate desk job’ or safe occupation. The work I do has its challenges.” He lifted the hand that wasn’t holding her into the air and made air quotes when he made the comment about a desk job. “But I do take extraordinary precautions. Tonight is just research.”
She could tell his sharing more was about as fruitful as hoping for a brick wall to dissolve in front of her eyes. Blake wasn’t going to add any more details. Not now, at least. She sighed and watched a V formation of ducks fly over the water.“Guardian should have my answers soon. If they’re as good as you say they are.”
“They are that good. I’ll contact them tonight and find out when you can expect to receive your computer and the information. It shouldn’t be long.”
They stood at the end of the pier for a while before she asked, “Do you trust Rook?”
He nodded, his eyes sincere. “With my life and yours. Promise me you won’t leave the house tonight. He’s better, but he doesn’t need to be practicing as a track star tonight, either.”
“I already said I wouldn’t.” She turned and looked up at him. His arms circled her. “Be safe, Blake. I may have developed an addiction to your blunt gruffness.”
He smiled down at her. “And I may have developed an addiction to your sass and fire.”
“Sass?” She drew back. “Who, me? Never.”
He picked her up and moved toward the water.
“No! It’s me! It’s me!” she squealed as he started to toss her. His arms never released her, and he swung her around as she grabbed at his neck, the blanket falling to where it was trapped by his arms at her waist.
He laughed as she gasped and hit his chest. “That was a mean thing to do.”
“Then let me make it better.” Blake lowered his lips to hers. She closed her eyes and let him take control of the kiss. The cold wind swirled around them, but the heat between them kept any thought of the weather far away.
When he lifted from the kiss, he stared at her. “Rook will leave tomorrow morning.”
“And we’ll be alone.” She smiled up at him. “Whatever will we do?”
“I’m sure I can think of several things.”
She smiled at the devious look in his eyes. “As long as they’re related to what we did last night, I’m on board with that.”
He lifted a single eyebrow and asked, “Are you?”
“Completely.” She nodded and smiled up at him. “I might not want to be overpowered by you every time we have sex, but I’ll let you know when I’m in the mood for sweetness.”
Blake stared down at her. “Is that a promise?”
“One I’ll never break,” she swore to him. “I’ve been with men who were … less than you. I wasn’t satisfied. What happened last night was amazing, and I want more of it.” She shivered, and he lifted the blanket back over her shoulders.
“I want more, too,” he said.
